The Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize aims to catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy technology components, moving manufacturing facilities from planning to shovel-ready and enabling strategies for vibrant manufacturing activities in communities. This prize, developed by the Office of Technology Transitions in partnership with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has a prize pool of approximately $30 million spread across two tracks: Facilities and Strategies.
The Facilities Track accelerates clean energy technology manufacturing plant development and helps support establishing a robust, secure domestic supply chain for components deemed critical for the commercialization of clean energy technologies. This track invites U.S.-based entities with demonstrated commitment and capabilities in domestic manufacturing to complete and submit the work necessary for a shovel-ready manufacturing facility for specific clean energy technology components, including components related to hydrogen, the electric grid, long-duration energy storage, and carbon capture.
This page outlines the eligibility and track structure for the Facilities Track. More information on the Facilities Track and instructions for competing can be found in the official rules document.
For information on the Strategies Track, where competitors work to attract manufacturing to their regions, please visit the Strategies Track HeroX page.
Competitor Eligibility
U.S.-based entities interested in establishing a manufacturing plant for an eligible clean energy technology may submit a statement of intent for the Facilities Track. Eligible components include:
Manufacturing and/or recycling of components for production, processing, delivery, and storage, of clean hydrogen and/or hydrogen fuel cells:
Facilities to extract and process raw materials for electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing
Precision manufactured subcomponents for electrolyzers and fuel cells and facilities for electrolyzer and fuel cell assembly
Optimized balance-of-plant components for electrolyzers
Production capacity for hydrogen-specific infrastructure.
Manufacturing of components related to electric grid upgrades and long-duration energy storage:
Components for distribution and large power transformers
Components for high-voltage direct current transmission
Manufacturing and assembly of long-duration energy storage components and systems.
Manufacturing of components related to carbon capture and storage:
Carbon capture solvent, sorbent, and membrane recovery facilities.
More information on competitor eligibility and the eligible components can be found in the official rules document.
Track Structure
The Facilities Track includes submission of a statement of intent and two phases.
Statement of Intent: Competitors submit a letter of intent describing their team and the clean energy technology to be manufactured. Competitors will be notified if their statement is deemed eligible to compete in Phase 1: Scope.
Phase 1: Scope: Competitors submit a plan to establish a manufacturing facility for their identified clean energy technology. Approximately 12 winners will be awarded $500,000 each and will advance to the Phase 2: Shovel-Ready.
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready: Competitors will demonstrate they are “shovel-ready” for the construction of a manufacturing facility including control of a site, permits, financing, and proof of community engagement. Up to four winners will be awarded $4.5 million each.
There are two opportunities to compete in the Facilities Track: through the Primary Timeline or the Secondary Timeline. Competitors who submit a statement of intent that is deemed eligible during the Primary Timeline may submit subsequent materials by either the Primary or Secondary Timeline deadlines, but are encouraged to submit as soon as they are ready, as a limited number of prizes are available and the competition will close once all funds are awarded.
Statement of Intent Primary Deadline: October 18, 2023
Statement of Intent Primary Decision Notification (anticipated): November 2023
Phase 1: Scope Submission Primary Deadline: February 1, 2024
Statement of Intent Secondary Deadline: February 1, 2024
Statement of Intent Secondary Decision Notification (anticipated): February 2024
Phase 1:Scope Primary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline
Phase 1:Scope Submission Secondary Deadline: May 1, 2024
Phase 1: Scope Secondary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready First Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyAugust 2024
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Second Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyNovember 2024
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Third Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyFebruary 2025
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Fourth Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyMay 2025
Informational Webinar
The MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track informational webinar is on Aug. 15, 2023, at 12 p.m. MT. The webinar will give an overview of the Facilities Track and its phases, timelines, and submission requirements. Interested competitors can ask questions during the Q&A. Register for the webinar today.
Challenge Guidelines
The official rules document contains the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .
Guidelines
Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .
With the deadline to submit a statement of intent approaching on October 18, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET, we want to provide an overview of the clean energy technology areas where the Facilities track of the MAKE IT prize offers eligible components: hydrogen, grid updates, carbon capture and storage, and long-duration energy storage. This first post discusses hydrogen.
Why Do We Need Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is not only the most abundant element in the universe, it’s also the lightest and most plentiful gas. Because hydrogen is easy to transport and store, it is a promising energy carrier and can be used to generate electricity, heat homes and businesses, and power vehicles.
The global market for hydrogen is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report on Clean Hydrogen predicts that demand for hydrogen could reach 10 million metric tons per year by 2030 and 50 million metric tons per year by 2050, driven by the need to decarbonize the U.S. economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
How Can We Ramp Up Clean Hydrogen Production
To achieve our clean energy goals—and capitalize on growing domestic and international hydrogen markets—the entire clean hydrogen supply chain must scale rapidly. That’s where the MAKE IT Prize comes in. To meet the demands of a growing hydrogen market, the country will need to rapidly manufacture necessary components, and extract, refine, and/or recycle materials required for the increased hydrogen production and usage.
Through the Facilities Track, teams will work to bolster the domestic hydrogen supply chain by accelerating the development of the following types of facilities and components (competitors can learn more about eligible components in the prize’s official rules document):
Facilities to extract and process raw materials for electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing.
Precision manufactured subcomponents for electrolyzers and fuel cells and facilities for electrolyzer and fuel cell assembly.
Optimized balance-of-plant components for electrolyzers, including compressors and power electrionics.
Production capacity for hydrogen-specific infrastructure, including tube trailers and supplies for storage and distribution systems.
How Can You Help?
There are many uses for hydrogen, from generating electricity to powering shipping and heavy-duty transportation. But current demand for fuel cells is expected to significantly exceed global supplies unless we increase domestic production.
That’s why we need your help. Learn more and apply to compete in the MAKE IT Prize’s Facilities Track by October 18, 2023, 5 p.m. ET. Help catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy components so that we can meet our decarbonization goals and maximize the associated benefits.
Meet the two Power Connectors supporting MAKE IT Prize applicants: yet2 (Facilities Track) and the Clean Energy Business Network (Strategies and Facilities Tracks). Together, these Power Connectors are offering two Group Sessions, starting with a quick review of the prize goals, rules, timelines, and considerations impacting which track is the best fit for you, along with information on yet2 and CEBN’s respective areas of expertise and assistance. Then they will open the session to Q&A, applicant feedback, and any other guidance requested. Two identical group sessions are being offered to accommodate different time zones.
Thank you to all who attended the Facilities Track Informational Webinar! The webinar recording is now available in the Resources section. We compiled the questions from the webinar and will be releasing an FAQ document in the coming week.
Remember to register for the Facilities Track Informational Webinar on Aug. 15, 2023, at 12 p.m. MT. During the webinar, presenters will give an overview of the Facilities Track and its phases, timelines, and submission requirements. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions. Please visit the Zoom registration page to register today.
